Hebrew National - "Charred" (2014) :30 (USA)

Just in time for the summer barbeque season, Bob Ackerman, partner and editor at The Colonie, has finished a new campaign for Hebrew National.

Two spots, directed by Backyard Films’ Kevin S. Smith, show just how far some people are willing to go when they learn that their hot dogs don’t measure up to the famous kosher brand. Charred opens with two couples tending batches of franks on a backyard grill. One couple is preparing Hebrew National hot dogs, the other a generic “all beef” product. When the generic couple learns about the high quality ingredients employed by Hebrew National, they take drastic steps to satisfy their burning desire for the superior franks.

Tailgate employs a similarly unexpected twist. Two couples grilling hot dogs outside a sports stadium chat about the great taste of Hebrew National. That prompts a man to find a unique way to dispose of his inferior dogs.

Ackerman says that it was a treat to work with a director of Smith’s caliber. “I’ve long admired Kevin’s Smith’s work but this was the first time I was able to cut for him,” he observes. “Having someone with Kevin’s instincts at the helm always sets the stage for a great piece of advertising.”

A former actor himself, Ackerman loves editing good performance, especially comedy. “The casting was fantastic,” he says. “Being from Chicago, I appreciate good improvisational skills from actors. Across the board this was A-level talent. Even though there was a fair amount of product dialogue everyone involved knew the gag and that made the spots special. They all deserve a nod for fighting for the funny.”

Production: Backyard Films. Director, Kevin S. Smith.
Editorial: The Colonie. Editor, Bob Ackerman. Assistant Editor, Graham Chapman.
Finish: The Colonie. Flame Artist, Tom Dernulc.
Optimus. Colorist, Oscar Oboza.